Collapsible container



1965 R. E. FOGARTY ETAL 3,164,184

COLLAPSIBLE CONTAINER Filed April 19, 1963 FIG.

S m7 s T R mmk N m w m ME MD m M 8 United States Patent This inventionrelates to the art of containers for the transport of bulk materials,and more particularly to a collapsible container.

Many types of collapsible containers have been presented in the priorart. One type, the simplest, is merely a flexible ba in some geometricform which is adapted to be expanded for fillin with dry or liquid bulkmaterial.

' However, serious disadvantages include the requirement that the bag befilled with compressed air to maintain it erect for filling; and, oncefilled, the bag must always have some sort of support to prevent it fromfolding over in a semi-collapsed attitude. Another type is similar to abellows wherein pro-established folds permit the container to be foldedor collapsed into a preset compact form. This type, however, mustinclude bulky and complex auxiliary support bracing and the like sincethe bellows or accordion folds constantly tend to cause the container tobe self-folding. Moreover, constant folding of the container for returnto a filling point for reuse increases the likelihood that the containerwill develop a leak, since the fabric body will not withstand repeatedfolding at the same points. Other types include double wall containerswherein fluid pressure between the walls maintains the containers in anerect attitude; however they require valve means and the like, as wellas a source of fluid pressure. Still other types cannot be folded simplyand in such manner that the flexible wall portion of the container isprotected during transit back to a filling point for reuse.

It is therefore a main object of this invention to provide a collapsiblecontainer which is adapted to be erected or collapsed simply; and whichis adapted to be self Supporting when erected.

It is another object of this invention to provide support means for theerected container which is inherently simple and economical, providesmeans for handling of the container and its contents, yet does notcontribute appreciably to the weight of the container.

It is another object of this invention to provide the support means forthe container such that when the container is collapsed, the supportmeans also provides protecticn for the vulnerable flexible portions ofthe container; yet does not contribute to the bulk and weight of thecontainer for shipment back to a filling point for reuse.

It is another important object of this invention to provide a structurefor a collapsible container which does not require a significant amountof handling and the like for erection or folding.

Other advantage will become apparent from the following detailedspecification, when read with reference to the accompanying drawings.

In carrying out the objects of the invention there is provided acollapsible container comprising a rigid base pan, a flexible tubularwall attached to the pan, a top cover attached to the wall and movabletherewith toward and from the pan, and bracing means betweenthepan andthe top cover for maintaining the container in an erect attitude, andfor retaining the container when'folded.

In the drawings: FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an erect container.PEG. 2 is an enlarged top view of the container when folded.

Zilhdddd Patented Jan. 5., 1965 FIG. 3 is an enlarged side elevation ofthe folded container.

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary exploded view of a feature of one embodiment ofthe bracing means for the container.

Before proceeding with the description of the structure of a preferredembodiment of this invention, it should be pointed out that bothflexible and rigid members are employed in the combination. The flem'blemember to be described may be formed for many natural or syntheticfabric impregnated with such substances as to render the containercompatible with the intended use. That is to say, the sealant which iseither fabric reinforced or impregnatesthe fabric should benoncontaminant to and inert from any material intended to be carried inthe container. Any rigid structural members of the container may beformed of metal, preferably from a lightweight high strength alloy, orfrom any of the plastics or other suitable resins possessing thenecessary properties of strength and the like. The foregoing definitionsshall apply to all subsequent reference to flexible or rigid members.

The embodiment illustrated in the drawings comprises a rigid base pan 5such as may be formed from a channel member formed in a circle andenlcosed by a bottom sheet. Structural reinforcement is provided throughthe use of suitable channels or rails 7 which are disposed transverselyof the pan 5. A pair of I beams 6 or the like are also provided as meansfor resting the container on the ground and also for providingtransverse support when the filled container is hoisted by means to bedescribed.

A flexible tubular wall is fastened to the periphery of the base pan 5and is designated as at 2. It is understood that the Wall 2 should befluid tight where it joins the pan 5, and such seal may be obtained bybonding or cementing or the like, depending on the nature of theparticular materials employed.

A top cover is attached or secured to the top end of the flexible Wall2, and is a rigid member comprising preferably a peripheral rim 4 whichmay be formed, for ex ample, from a length of angle bent in a circle;and a cover disc 3 secured to the rim 4.

Inlet means in the form of a collar or ring 9 may be disposedconveniently centrally through the top cover. Any suitable filler neckplug it) of conventional type may be employed for a closure for theinlet ring 9. Similarly, outlet means in the form of a conventionallarge pipe fitting 8 may be disposed through the bottom or base pan 5 ofthe container. Anysuitable plug may be employed as a closure for theoutlet 8.

The top cover and the flexible wall 2 are movable toward and away fromthe base pan 5 due to the flexibility of the wall 2,. That is to say,the wall 2 is foldable to a position such that it may be contained in orcompletely enclosed by the pan 5 when in the folded position, as willappear. Suffice it to point out at this point that a twisting motion isimparted to the wall 2 and the top cover together to cause the wall tobe folded into the pan 5.

Means is provided for preventing a twisting motion to be imparted to thetop cover and the Wall 2, for maintaining the container erect, and forpermitting the container to be hoisted conventionally when filled. 'Arigid yoke member 11 is attached to the top cover so as to be disposeddiametrically thereacross, wherein the inlet ring 9 forms the centralpart thereof. T e opposing ends of the yoke 11 extend radially beyondthe edge of the rim 4 of the top cover, and are slotted or the like asat 13. Thus, the ends of yoke 11 are adapted to be engaged by braces orthe like externally of the wall 2 of the container. Ext'ernalbracing isdetachably disthe opposing ends of the yoke 11. In order that the braces12 may be securely attached to the pan 5, support blocks 14 are attachedto the ends of the beams 6 such that a block t t is diametricallyopposed to another block 14. Held by the blocks 14 and extendingupwardly therefrom are stub braces 2t), each having bifurcated ends 22which are formed with a transverse hole adapted to receive a suitablepivot pin 21.

The bottom end of each of the pair of braces 12 is formed with tongue 19having a transverse hole; and this tongue 19 is placed in the bifurcatedend 22 of stub brace 20 and hingedly or pivotally held thereat by thepivot pin 21.

. The top end of each brace 12 is adapted to engage the outer end of theyoke 11 at 13, and extends upwardly for that purpose. The top endtifeach brace 12 may therefore be provided with a disc-like shoulder 13and an axial threaded stud 17. A corresponding threaded lifting eye 15having a large shoulder 16 is adapted to threadedly engage stud 17 whenthe brace 12 is engaged with the yoke 11, such that the end of the yokeis disposed between the shoulders 16 and 18 and the stud 1'7 is in theslot 13. Any convenient rod or the like (not shown) may be inserted inthe eye 15 and employed as a wrench to tighten the eye on the stud 17.-The main portion of the rigid brace 12 comprises an elongated rod-likemember of suitable length. It will also be seen that the top end of eachbrace 12 is releasably or otherwise detachably connected to the topcover by means of the yoke 11.

FIGS. 2 and 3 illustrate the container in folded or collapsed position.It will be seen that the braces 12 are folded across the top cover wherethey may be retained by suitable spring clips. Bolts or clamps (notshown) may be employed for fastening the yoke 11 directly to the edge ofthe base pan to maintain the container in the folded position. FIG. 3illustrates the flexible wall 2 as being folded inwardly within the pan5, with the top cover flush with the pan 5; whereby the wall 2 isenclosed by the pan 5.

In describing the operation of the container from folded to erectposition and transversely, it is pointed out that the inlet filler plugshould be temporarily removed to facilitate the relief of air pressureand free movement of air into and out of the container. To erect thecontainer the braces 12 are unfolded from across the top cover and laidaway from the container. The top cover and wall 2 are then raised toerect position by lifting the yoke 11. The braces are then simply raisedso that the ends of the yoke move (counter-clockwise in this embodiment)into engagement between the shoulders 16 and 18, with studs 17 in theslots 13. The eyes are then tightened down on the studs 17 to securelyclamp the yoke in position. The container is now maintained erect.movement (of the wall 2) such that the container cannot be collapsed orotherwise distended out of shape. After the container is filled withbulk material to be transported, the lifting eyes 15 may be used forlifting the container onto a truck or the like. It will be seen thatlifting stress is applied through the eyes 15 down through the rigidbraces 12 and transversely of the bottom of the container by means ofblocks 14, beams 6 and rigid base pan 5. At no time does lifting stressor shear stress occur in the flexible wall 2.

After the bulk material has been delivered to its destination andremoved from the container through the outlet 8, the container is to befolded for transporting, with others, back to a filling point for reuse.To fold the container, the lifting eyes' 15 are first loosened byunscrewing slightly on the studs 17. .The braces 12 are then releasedand disengaged from the yoke. 11 and are laid outwardly fromthecontainer, as '-on the ground.

'. The yoke 11, top cover and the wall 2 are now free Moreover, it-isretained against twisting and lowered partially to the base pan. In thismanner the flexible wall 2 is caused to gather toward the axis of thecontainer intermediate its ends, and the flexible wall further foldsover itself radially taking on the appearance not unlike that of thesegmented diaphragm in a camera. When partially folded in the clockwisedirection, the direction of twist is then reversed to thecounterclockwise direction and the flexible wall and top cover are thenlowered the rest of the way into the base pan 5. The wall is now neatlyand completely enclosed by the base pan 5 for protection during transit.The braces 12 are folded across the top cover and all is secured fortransit.

One of the more obvious advantages of the collapsible container is thatit can hold several times the volume of bulk commodity as theconventional rigid drums while occupying only a fraction of the spacethat rigid drums require. Moreover, the folded container occupies afraction of the space as the erect container, hence does not requirevaluable load space when being returned. The collapsible container canbe formed of a variety of materials, making it compatible fortransporting commodities of different natures. Although the container islight in weight, it is unique in that the base pan, wall and top covercontain the bulk material, while the independent and external bracesremove all handling stresses from the container itself. Thus, a fullcontainer can also store a commodity at a depot area for periods of timewith no deleterious effects on the flexible wall.

It is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to theembodiment disclosed, but is to be construed within the spirit and scopeof the appended claims.

We claim:

1. A collapsible container comprising a rigid base pan, a flexibletubular wall attached to said pan and foldable to a position enclosed bysaid pan, a top cover attached to the top end of said wall and movabletherewith to ward and away from said pan, inlet and outlet means forsaid contaner, and bracing means detachably disposed between said panand said top cover outwardly of said wall for maintaining said containererect.

2. A collapsible container comprising a rigid base pan, a flexibletubular wall attached to said pan and foldable to a position enclosed bysaid pan, a top cover attached to the top end of said wall and movabletherewith toward and away from said pan, inlet and outlet means for saidcontainer, and means for maintaining said container erect comprising, ayoke attached to said top cover and extending radially outwardlytherefrom, and bracing means detachably disposed between said pan andsaid yoke comprising a rod hinged near said pan and releasably connectedto the end of said yoke.

3. A collapsible container comprising a rigid base pan, a flexibletubular wall attached to said pan and foldable to a position enclosed bysaid pan, a top cover attached to the top end of said wall and movabletherewith toward and away from said pan, inlet and outlet means for saidcontainer; and means for maintaining said container erect comprising ayoke attached to said top cover and extending outwardly therefrom, andat least a pair of rod like braces releasably disposed between said panand said yoke.

4. A collapsible container comprising a rigid base pan, a flexibletubular wall attached to said pan and foldable to a position enclosed bysaid pan, a top cover attached to the top end of said wall and movabletherewith toward and away from said pan, inlet and outlet means for saidcontainer, a yoke disposed diametrically on said top cover havingopposing ends extending beyond the edge of said top cover, each opposingend being adapted to be engaged by an external brace, and a pair ofexternal braces attached at their bottom ends to said pan, the top endof each one of said pair of braces being adapted to engage one of saidopposing yoke ends when said container is erect, said top ends of saidbraces being releasable from said yoke ends, and means permitting saidbraces to be folded across said top cover when the container iscollapsed.

5. A collapsible container comp-rising a rigid base pan, a flexibletubular wall attached to said pan and foldable to a position adjacentsaid pan, a top cover attached to the top end of said wall and movabletherewith toward and away from said pan, inlet and outlet means for saidcontainer, said Wall being adapted to move toward said pan in a twistingmotion about the axis of said container for collapsing same, meansattached to said top cover adapted to be engaged by external braces, andat least a pair of external rod like braces attached to said pan, saidbraces extending upwardly and releasably engaging said means forpreventing said wall from being twisted; whereby said container ismaintained erect.

6. A collapsible container comprising a rigid base pan, a flexibletubular wall attached to said pan, a top cover attached to the top endof said wall and movable therewith in a twisting motion toward and awayfrom said References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATESPATENTS 3,105,617 Felldin Oct. 1, 1963 FOREIGN 'PATENTS 1,036,933 FranceSept. 14, 1953 1,185,581 France Aug. 3, 1959 GEORGE O. RALSTON, PrimaryExaminer. FRANKLIN T. GARRETT, Examiner.

1. A COLLAPSIBLE CONTAINER COMPRISING A RIGID BASE PAN, A FLEXIBLETUBULAR WALL ATTACHED TO SAID PAN AND FOLDABLE TO A POSITION ENCLOSED BYSAID PAN, A TOP COVER ATTACHED TO THE TOP END OF SAID WALL AND MOVABLETHEREWITH TOWARD AND AWAY FROM SAID PAN, INLET AND OUTLET MEANS FOR SAIDCONTAINER, AND BRACING MEANS DETACHABLY DISPOSED